The U2 Reader: A Quarter Century of Commentary, Criticism, and Reviews

Bordowitz does a great job in this reader collecting U2 "clippings" from the beginning of the band through its over 25 years of rising, dominating, declining, but above all, persisting in popular music. The articles really speak for themselves about the excitement of being on the world stage and the adulation and tribulations that come with that. The author does not do much more than really frame each time period of the band's existence in order to put the articles in accordingly. But I think that was his intention: this is not a direct analysis of U2's influence on music or pop-culture. That project is left for the reader to endeavor in, but only if they desire. It is interesting and well worth your time to experience the band in the newspaperist chronology set out before you. We all like to think about U2 at different points in their career and we all have an idea of what "our favorite album" is or when we thought "U2 was making it huge". And so, its pretty neat to see whether or not the mainstream, worldwide news coverage of the band concurs with your own conclusions about different time periods.It's a fun read if you are a U2 fan!

That book is a must, complete with interviews that are no longer available from different mazagines. It give a great history of the group with details for every member. It also gives you a candid insight of ech emember. But what I liked the best is that it reminds you that even if Bono is the front person for various subjects and points of view, everyone in that group has a very strong social concsience; a fact that is very rare in the cruel world we live in.

Hank Bordowitz follows up on The Creedence Clearwater Revivial saga, Bad Moon Rising, with an excellent account on U2(The U2 Reader: A Quarter Century if Commentary, Criticism, and Reviews). What makes this book a winner, is the many perspectives and in depth research that Bordowitz provides. The songs and performances are analyzed from religious, political, and musical perspectives. Its great that Bordowitz gets quotes from musical luminaries like Bruce Springsteen, Sinead O'Connor, and Billy Coorgan.Some moments are spent looking into the personal sides of each band member and how their personalities caused the band to evolve over time. The Unforgettable Fire certainly differs greatly from Pop as the band has evolved from a radical new wave band to one that seems to have their influence blend into the world today. Big time fans should pick this book up and even minor fans like myself will find that there is much merit in Bordowitz's fine research.

Of the many U2 books on the market, with more to come, it is refreshing to get a sense of historical perspective of the world's most popular, if not relevant, band.U2 was not always the most beloved band, especially after its forays into electronica. Even during the early days there were some doubts, hard to believe now, of the band's durability. The book is worth the price alone for reading Jon Pareles's early review of U2 from The New York Times. In 1981 he actually wished the band would break up!This book scans the thoughts and musings of a wide variety of authors from the band's earliest days to the present. One of the convenient pluses of the book is that, as a compilation, it can be read in bursts or it can be read just sitting down for an afternoon on the beach. Each article short enough to look up to see if the kids are alright and yet engaging enough to say to your wife, "yes dear."Few books today really put U2 into this proper context of where they stand in the eyes of the critics. It will appeal to the long time fan still able to recall those early days at the clubs and theaters and also to the newer fan wondering what it was like when they were just starting out but still able to be familiar with the band that is today.Overall, a timely and needed effort, especially as U2 writes their new album and takes a pause from the last phase of their career. It is also a fun read. Who said history isn't fun?